A STUDY of lorry drivers in the South Sefton area has revealed that their lifestyle is damaging their health.

The local NHS 'Tommy The Trucker' initiative concluded that the combination of junk food, smoking and the lack of exercise taken by many lorry drivers puts them at higher risk of chronic ill-ness such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Truckers using Sea-forth Docks told researchers they knew their lifestyles were a problem but said their daily routine gave them little chance of getting any healthier.

Jo McCullagh of Sefton Health Improvement Support Service told the Star: "Men in general are less likely to access health services than women and less likely to receive information about ways to improve their health.

"But, compared to other men, we've found lorry drivers are even more likely to have high fat diets, eat less fruit and vegetables, smoke, take less exercise and be overweight.

"It was striking how many of the men we spoke to were worried about the impact it was having on them but, because of the nature of the work, didn't know what they could do to look after themselves."

The research team now recommends work is done to improve the food on offer to truckers at roadside catering outlets and for haulage companies to provide drivers with cool boxes to store healthy foods like fruit and salad.

Their report also suggests installing gyms and shower facilities at major stop-off points so that drivers can enjoy some exercise after spending hours at a time on the road.